Eternal Glow: Black Womanhood’s Story Of Love and Resilience
Author’s Memo
These three poems are autoethnographic as they utilize personal narratives to explore and illuminate broader cultural and societal themes, particularly those relating to the experiences and identities of Black women. They offer insightful commentary on the cultural issues of identity, societal expectations, and the celebration of individuality and resilience. These poems serve as a cultural commentary on the expectations, stereotypes, and standards imposed on Black women. They challenge monolithic perceptions and celebrate the diversity, strength, and resilience inherent in Black womanhood. The exploration of identity is not just personal but is set against the backdrop of societal norms and expectations, offering insights into how these external forces shape individual experiences.
Black Women: The Essence of Admiration
It’s the joy for me
The magic twinkling in the air behind your swing
Those hips from side to side
The wind parts… getting out of your way
Because baby, you are so divine
It’s the laugh for me
Loud and boisterous
Carefree and loving–OF SELF
It’s the bounce for me
The curls rocking to the beat of drums down the street
Trying to keep with movement of your soul choreographing a dance that leaves those watching in a trance
It’s you for me.
The smile that glistens like the droplets of crystals in the sea
The skin that glows brighten than the moonlight
That heart of gold that deserves the world
And goes after it
It’s the love for me.
Poured all over you
Poured all over those you meet, dripping like fresh oil
You leave everything feelin’ anew
It’s ______[1] for me.
It’s the melody of you, in everything I do, eternally true.
The Signature Blend
Caught in between
the struggle of comparing my path to that of others
and being held to certain standards associated with being “Black”
in relation to my unique identity
unspoken pressure,
unrealistic standards
I’ve imposed on myself
Or Did I?
Shaken by expectations, yet never stirred from my course,
When I say “perfect”,
I don’t mean flawless
in a literal sense
but rather the most beautifully imperfect concoction
a unique blend of experiences, qualities, and aspirations,
always mixed with a dash of sass and resilience.
While I may not be everyone’s ideal “cocktail,”
I’ve come to embrace the idea
that I am my own preferred drink of choice —
a signature blend, uniquely mixed,
embodying my own perfect balance of strength and subtlety,
complexity and smoothness,
a reflection of my journey in every sip
The Signature Blend
Caught in between
the struggle of comparing my path to that of others
and being held to certain standards associated with being “Black”
in relation to my unique identity
unspoken pressure,
unrealistic standards
I’ve imposed on myself
Or Did I?
Shaken by expectations, yet never stirred from my course,
When I say “perfect”,
I don’t mean flawless
in a literal sense
but rather the most beautifully imperfect concoction
a unique blend of experiences, qualities, and aspirations,
always mixed with a dash of sass and resilience.
While I may not be everyone’s ideal “cocktail,”
I’ve come to embrace the idea
that I am my own preferred drink of choice —
a signature blend, uniquely mixed,
embodying my own perfect balance of strength and subtlety,
complexity and smoothness,
a reflection of my journey in every sip
[1] Author invites reader to fill in the blank for engagement.
Credits
Featured image by Thought Catalog for Unsplash
Image by By Ian Kiragu for Unsplash
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Venus Trevae Watson is a doctoral candidate in the Educational Research department at The University of Alabama, with a focus on qualitative methodologies.
